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Without Ataturk's vision, without his ambition and energy, without his astonishing boldness in sweeping away traditions accumulated over centuries, today's Turkey would not exist, and the world would be much poorer.

Ataturk approved of the mevlevi dervish approach to God as being 'an expression of Turkish genius' that reclaimed Islam from what he saw as hide-bound, backward Arab tradition.

Turkey is immersed in a profound social and political conflict between secularists, who have been in power since the republic was founded, and an insurgent Islamic-based movement that seeks to increase the role of religion in public life.

With the backdrop of its geostrategic location and historical ties with the Middle East, Turkey has an essential role to play for the stability, peace and social development of the region.

That is one of the reasons why we advocate for good relations between the two countries. Turkey understands the needs of the region.

Turkey is going through an incredible economic, political and social transformation. What is most important is that Turkey has been the owner of this transformation. Ownership has been the key to success.

It is beneficial for Turkish democracy that not all religious conservatives are united under one banner.

I see Turkey's future as being in Europe, as one of many prosperous, tolerant, democratic countries.

Most people don't realize turkeys are friendly, they're social, they're loyal, they have emotions.

Ataturk sent several Turkish staff officers to Afghanistan, helped them build their own army.